Mayo community in shock over shooting of 83-year-old man

A murder investigation is taking place after the body of a man was found by the emergency services as they dealt with a house fire in Castlebar last night.

The man, who has been named locally as 83-year-old John Brogan, was a retired bachelor farmer who lived alone in a cottage at Pheasant Hill, Cloonkeen.

Mr. Brogan had been shot.

A State pathologist is conducting a post-mortem examination of the victim’s remains, which have been removed to Mayo University Hospital, and the findings will dictate the course of the investigation.

The house and the surrounding area have been sealed off as officers from the Garda Technical Bureau conduct a forensic examination of the scene.

A man in his sixties was arrested yesterday and is being held for questioning at Castlebar Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

He can be questioned for up to 24 hours.

Gardaí have issued an appeal to anyone with information to contact them at Castlebar Garda Station on (094) 9038200, on the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or at any garda station.

The deceased was a well known farmer whose family lived at Pheasant Hill for generations.

A bachelor, he has been living alone since the sudden death of his brother, Henry, over five years ago.

He was a familiar figure on his bicycle over the years cycling to and from Castlebar.

As light faded at teatime yesterday, neighbours watched in horror and disbelief from the nearby roadway as flames leapt from the front of the neat dwelling house.

The blaze was quickly extinguished by firemen.

Mr. Brogan is survived by his family and relatives, to whom sympathy is tendered.

Councillor Martin McLoughlin, a member of Mayo County Council, said today the local community is shocked and saddened by the ‘grim’ events which have unfolded, describing them as 'an absolute tragedy'.